Hard-To-Reach Places And The Best Ways To Clean Them
September 24, 2020When we clean our homes, we admittedly pay more attention to the places that we often see. And once they’re nice and gleaming, the cleaning job can feel done and so satisfying but just because some parts of our home are out of sight doesn’t mean that we should keep them out of mind. We can pretend that leaving them be would have no consequences to the overall cleanliness of our homes. But deep down, we know that’s just lying to ourselves.
These spots will become the home of dust, dirt, and bacteria. These in turn can become harmful for our health especially for those people who have allergies. So even if it’s just once a month or two, it’s better to take a little peek at these places and give them a good dusting. Here are some spots to watch out for and how to reach them.
1. Ceilings and Moldings
Don’t be surprised when you look up and see all the cobwebs and dust trapped up there on your ceilings or crown moldings. Since we often concentrate our cleaning efforts on our floors and furniture, this part of the home can often be overlooked. Use a long-handled duster, a broom, or a dry sponge mop to knock the dust and dirt loose. Always keep in mind to do this first and foremost whenever you do some general cleaning. And just remember to look up once in a while, alright?
2. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures
Once in a while, you should check on the undersides of your ceiling fans and around your light fixtures. These are dust hotspots and should be cleaned every once in a while to prevent triggering any allergies from all the dust gathered in their nooks and crannies. When cleaning them, use a disposable duster. Unlike feather dusters, these are made of materials that dust clings to. If you don’t have that, a microfiber cloth will do the job just as well.
3. Heating and Air Register Covers
These should be cleaned at least a few times a month since the air you breathe inside your home passes through these very things. Use the upholstery brush attachment of your vacuum to clean the vents every now and then and regularly clean your filters. If your HVAC needs heavy-duty cleaning, it’s better to remove the vent and take it outside to properly scrub all the gunk out.
4. Cabinet Tops and Tall Furniture
When picking out your disposable duster, make sure to pick one that has an extendable handle and a pivoting head. These functions can help you clean out the tops of cabinets and any other tall furniture. If the dust, dirt, and grease have been on those spots a little too long though, you might have to get up there yourself and scrub it clean. A solution of one teaspoon of household ammonia mixed with one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and two cups of warm water can help break down the gunk quite easily.
5. Window Blinds
When cleaning your blinds, don’t just clean the side facing inside. Reverse and clean the other side too. An easy way to clean both sides of the slats at the same time is to wrap a microcloth around each end of a kitchen tong. Secure it with tape or a rubber band and simply run it along each slat.
6. Window, Sliding Door, and Shower Door Tracks
Cleaning these spots can often be very difficult because of the narrow spaces and tight corners. The best way to start is by knocking out any loose dust and dirt with your vacuum. After that, you can get into the nooks with a small stiff-bristled brush. Mix a solution of one teaspoon household ammonia, one teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and two cups of water for it. Once you’re done, rinse it out with water. If you don’t have all that time and if you can afford to get your floors a little wet, you can simply burst the tracks with water from a hose. That’ll get it nice and clean quickly.
7. Garbage Disposal
Believe it or not, your garbage disposal can cause quite the stink in your kitchen if you neglect to clean it. If you get any hint of odor coming from it, grind some citrus peels while running cold water. You can also add some ice cubes sprinkled with baking soda with cold water. To give it a really good clean, use a stiff scrubbing brush to clean the interior. But remember to do it only and only when the disposal is turned off all the way to the electrical breaker.
8. Refrigerator Coils
Refrigerator coils are often found on the back or under the appliance. When dust and debris collect in these places, they can hinder your fridge from functioning at peak performance and in turn raise your utility costs. To clean up coils on the bottom, you have to unsnap the ventilated grill first. Use the crevice tool of your vacuum first to knock the dust and debris loose. Then use a long-handled stiff brush to reach into the corners. Don’t forget to clean the condenser fan.
For the coils on the back, simply turn your refrigerator around and use your vacuum’s upholstery brush attachment to suck up all the dirt.
9. Behind the Toilet
The floor and wall behind the toilet is a hotspot for mold and mildew and it can be quite difficult to get them out with just a simple mop. That’s it’s better to get on your hands and knees and scrub at them with a stiff brush. After getting all the hair, dust, and soil out, use a softer brush or sponge dipped in a disinfectant cleaner and rinse it out with water to finish it all off.
